Review: “T.O.’s Finding Fitness”

Yesterday morning, I received a copy of Terrell Owens’ new fitness book, “T.O.’s Finding Fitness” (Simon & Schuster, $26). About 12 hours later, I watched the Dallas Cowboys beat the Philadelphia Eagles 41-37, with Owens scoring two touchdowns and making the 131st touchdown catch of his career, earning him second place in NFL history. (The record is held by Jerry Rice, who played with Owens for San Francisco and wrote the foreword to T.O.’s book.)

Yes, the controversial wide receiver is a hell of a football player. But does that mean you should buy his book? I mean, for reasons other than his half-naked photo on the cover?

Not surprisingly, there are few surprises in T.O.’s fitness manual. It consists largely of a guide to strength training, including sports-specific training, with tips from his trainer, Buddy Primm, as well as a guide to healthy eating.

T.O. also shares his impressive diet, which goes a little something like this: “Breakfast: 8-10 egg whites and a bowl of oatmeal . . . Lunch: 2 grilled chicken breasts with 1 baked sweet potato. . . . Dinner: 12 ounces boiled sea bass with brown rice.” I can’t imagine anyone besides a pro athlete needing to eat like that, but it’s interesting to see. So are the X-rays of some of his injuries sustained during play.

One chapter focuses on exercises performed with resistance bands, which, coincidentally, Owens just happens to sell! But the section is more than just an advertisement for Owens’ fitness products, since the exercises can be performed with any resistance bands.

The book is subtitled “Making the Mind, Body, and Spirit Connection for Total Health,” and Owens emphasizes the importance of faith and positive thinking in the journey to fitness.

T.O., Primm and ghostwriter Courtney Parker haven’t come up with anything groundbreaking here, but for fans of T.O. who have been looking for the right motivation to start a workout program, this could be the ticket.